Module: Making Sense of Society
Seminar 8 – Environment/Capitalism/Communism/The Business
Environment
The environment determines the way we behave and the way we behave
determines the environment.
Example: BLM – the outrage that resulted from George Floyd’s death.
Environmental segregation
The links between human behaviour and environment. Example: we produce
pollution that affects the environment.
Psychological disconnect example: we can care deeply about global warming
and climate change, but our day to day behaviour does not reflect that. We still
drive our cars anyway.
It was only 5 years ago that it was said that environment needed to be explored
sociologically.
Capitalism
Capitalism – what is it? It’s an economic system which has a direct impact on
society as a whole.
How does capitalism determine our behaviours? Capitalism builds in steps
between manufacturer and consumer. The manufacturing process is not visible to
the consumer, and so they cannot see the truth behind it, and so they think that
it’s okay to buy goods that are cheaply made through labour exploitation.
Manufacturing rarely happens in the same country as consumption.
Bangladesh is a notorious country for clothes making – it has horrendous working
conditions.
Exploitation through segregation of manufacturer and consumer. Large profits
can be made because there’s no visibility between the two.
Pros of capitalism
Productivity it is incredibly productive. There is huge motivation in profit. If
there’s no profit to be made, then you will be far less motivated.
Profit is prioritised over caring for the environment.
Communism
Everyone got paid the same wages, therefore there’s no motivation to try to do
more. Although, this can be seen as equality for all.
All production and all industry is state-owned.
Seminar 8 – Environment/Capitalism/Communism/The Business
Environment
The environment determines the way we behave and the way we behave
determines the environment.
Example: BLM – the outrage that resulted from George Floyd’s death.
Environmental segregation
The links between human behaviour and environment. Example: we produce
pollution that affects the environment.
Psychological disconnect example: we can care deeply about global warming
and climate change, but our day to day behaviour does not reflect that. We still
drive our cars anyway.
It was only 5 years ago that it was said that environment needed to be explored
sociologically.
Capitalism
Capitalism – what is it? It’s an economic system which has a direct impact on
society as a whole.
How does capitalism determine our behaviours? Capitalism builds in steps
between manufacturer and consumer. The manufacturing process is not visible to
the consumer, and so they cannot see the truth behind it, and so they think that
it’s okay to buy goods that are cheaply made through labour exploitation.
Manufacturing rarely happens in the same country as consumption.
Bangladesh is a notorious country for clothes making – it has horrendous working
conditions.
Exploitation through segregation of manufacturer and consumer. Large profits
can be made because there’s no visibility between the two.
Pros of capitalism
Productivity it is incredibly productive. There is huge motivation in profit. If
there’s no profit to be made, then you will be far less motivated.
Profit is prioritised over caring for the environment.
Communism
Everyone got paid the same wages, therefore there’s no motivation to try to do
more. Although, this can be seen as equality for all.
All production and all industry is state-owned.
